They walked in a daze, their eyes wide with wonder. The buildings grew closer, each one more magnificent than the last. The cobblestone streets were lined with shops, each one offering wares that defied their understanding. The air was alive with chatter, a symphony of unfamiliar language that they could understand, it filled their ears with a melodious sound.

"I can't believe it," Ha-Yoon murmured, her eyes darting from one floating sign to another. The words and images danced before her eyes, a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes that she couldn't begin to decipher.

Si-woo nodded, equally amazed. "Me neither," he said, his voice barely audible over the murmur of the crowd. "Everything is so...alive."

The siblings continued to wander, their eyes drinking in the vibrant sights and sounds of the floating city. The air was alive with a symphony of unfamiliar languages, the cobblestone streets a dance of colors as the light from the floating signs played upon them.

Their stomachs growled in unison, reminding them of their hunger. Ha-Yoon's eyes lit up at the sight of a street vendor, a plump woman with a warm smile, beckoning them over to her shop. She held out a skewer of what looked like meat, but it was unlike anything they'd ever seen.

"Please, young ones," she called out in a lyrical voice, "try a sample of our finest Dokken skewers."

The woman's words were foreign, but for some reason, they could understand her clearly and the kindness was clear. Ha-Yoon and Si-woo exchanged glances, their hunger overriding their caution. They stepped closer, and she offered them the skewer with a wink. The meat was tender and smoky, with a hint of spice that danced on their tongues. Ha-Yoon puts her mask in her skirt pocket.

HA-YOON

(mouth full)

This is amazing!

The plump woman beams at their reaction, clearly proud of her culinary creation.

"What is this made from?" Si-woo asks tentatively, eyeing the skewer with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

The plump woman's smile widens. "Ah, young one, these are the finest Wokki scrotum skewers in all the lands," she replies, her voice like a gentle stream. "They're are in season right now, quite nutritious and delicious!"

The revelation hits Ha-Yoon like a ton of bricks. She drops the skewer as if it's a live snake, her eyes wide with horror. The plump woman looks on, seemingly unfazed by their reaction. Before she can say another word, Ha-Yoon lunges at her, "YOU MADE ME EAT WHAT!!" a primal scream escaping her lips. The crowd around them gasps, the chatter coming to an abrupt halt.

Si-woo's reflexes kick in."W- wait Ha-Yoon" He grabs his sister's arm, yanking her back before she can make contact. "What are you doing?" he hisses, his eyes darting around at the gathering crowd. Ha-Yoon's face is a mask of disgust and fury, her teeth bared like an animal's.

"You heard her!" Ha-Yoon whispers furiously, her voice laced with venom. "We can't trust these people!"

Si-Woo quickly drags her off further into the town. "We can't cause a scene," he whispers urgently. "We have to find a way to blend in until-"

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He's cut off by the sound of laughter, the sweet, unmistakable sound of children playing. They both turn towards the sound, the tension in their bodies easing slightly. Ha-Yoon quickly retrieves her mask from her pocket, her movements jerky and nervous.

They cut through the buildings, the masks securely back in place, and found themselves in a field where kids around their age were playing with creatures that looked like a mix of the animals they knew from Earth—some were fluffy with big eyes, others had scales and tails that whipped through the air.

"Let's go," Si-woo murmured, tugging Ha-Yoon's hand. But she was already moving, drawn to the laughter like a moth to a flame.

They approached the group of children, who were too engrossed in their games to notice the newcomers. A boy, not much older than Si-woo, was playing with a creature that looked like a cross between a dog and a fox, its fur a vibrant blue that matched the sky above. The children's eyes were sharp, their movements graceful, and their laughter was infectious.

The siblings felt a strange kinship with these children, despite their alien surroundings. They watched for a moment, their hearts swelling with the warmth of innocence and joy. Ha-Yoon's hand tightened around Si-woo's, and he knew she was feeling the same pull.

Without a word, they stepped closer, drawn to the games and the laughter. The children's eyes flickered towards them, curiosity shimmering in their gazes. A moment of silence fell, the only sound was the soft panting of the creatures and the rustle of the grass. And then, as if by some unspoken invitation, the games resumed.

A girl with hair like spun gold and pointed ears fluttered over to them, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She offered a small, tentative smile. "You're not from here, are you?" she asked in their language, the words melodious and strange on her lips.

"No," Si-woo admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "We're...lost."

The golden-haired girl's smile grew wider. "Well, you're found now," she said, taking Ha-Yoon's free hand in hers. "Come play with us!"

Her touch was warm and gentle, and despite their fears, the siblings couldn't resist the pull of camaraderie. They allowed themselves to be drawn into the games, the alien world around them fading into the background as they embraced the simple joy of playing with others.

"Hey," a boy called out, a smirk playing on his lips. "What's with the funny-looking fae?"

The teasing question snapped Si-woo and Ha-Yoon out of their momentary reprieve. The children's games had ceased momentarily, their eyes now on the newcomers. The boy who spoke had hair as green as the leaves around them and pointed ears that poked through his mischievous grin.

"You don't look like us," he said, tilting his head curiously. "Where do you come from?"

A girl with silverish hair and deep-sea blue eyes, who had been playing nearby, stepped in before Si-woo could respond. "They're not funny looking," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "They're just... different. Leave them alone Sol."

The children's curiosity grew, and soon, they were surrounded by a circle of questioning gazes. The air was thick with whispers and the unspoken rules of a society they hadn't quite figured out yet. The siblings felt a mix of fear and excitement, knowing that they had stumbled into something much bigger than themselves.

But the moment was shattered, an authoritative voice boomed through the air, echoing off the buildings like a sonic wave. "Children, it's time to come inside," the voice called out, cutting through the chatter like a knife through butter. The laughter and games abruptly ceased, and all the children looked up, their expressions a mix of surprise and respect.

"But it's still early," one of the children protested, a whine lacing their voice.

"Now, no delays," the voice insisted, a hint of urgency in the tone. The children groaned but began to gather their things. Ha-Yoon and Si-woo exchanged glances, the excitement of the new world fading slightly in the face of the unknown.

The kids began to sprint towards the large building off in the distance. Ha-Yoon found herself swept along in the tide of youthful energy and the girl with silverish hair and deep-sea blue eyes grabbed Si-woos hand and dragged him in too. The structure looked ancient, with intricate carvings on the stone walls. The doors were massive, easily twice the size of any she had ever seen, and they swung open without a sound as the children approached.